Jennylyn Mercado on offers to change networks:
What for? Why should I transfer? MANILA, Philippines - For Jennylyn Mercado, 2013
is a milestone year; after all, it’s her 10th year in
showbiz. Jennylyn was obviously in a celebratory mood when
she signed a three-year contract last Wednesday
with GMA 7, her home network since she was
discovered and became the pioneering female
winner of the reality artista search StarStruck. “They never left me. All this time and after all that
I’ve been through — after I got pregnant and after so
many intrigues and issues — (GMA) has been there
to support me,” the actress said of her Kapuso
family. GMA executives — led by chair and CEO lawyer
Felipe Gozon, president and COO Gilberto Duavit
Jr. and Entertainment TV OIC Lilybeth Rasonable —
were on hand at the contract renewal, especially
noting Jennylyn’s accomplishments and sense of
loyalty as a homegrown artist. “This is where I’ve grown as an actress, singer and
host... Of course, I’m happy because they
appreciate my loyalty. I’m glad that, that’s how they
see me — very loyal, very loving — because I treat
GMA like family,” she said. Reacting to comments as to how much she has
bloomed since her StarStruck days, Jennylyn said
with a laugh, “(Yes, people didn’t think I would win
then because) I’m not mestiza. Tatanggapin ko
yung comment na di ako maganda nuon, hahaha,
because what’s important is today.” Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Jennylyn didn’t deny that she had her share of
offers from other networks. But she claimed she
never considered switching networks because “we
would always think, what for? I’ve been receiving
good projects (from GMA) and they’ve been
appreciative of my talent as well as the effort that I give into my work, so why should I transfer? That’s
our way of thinking.” Boyfriend of over-a-year, Luis Manzano, belongs to
GMA’s No. 1 rival ABS-CBN. Surely, they have
talked about the idea of working together in the
same network, haven’t they? “When it comes to things like that, we have
separate lives… We don’t meddle in each other’s
(career) plans,” she said. As for marriage plans, she said there’s none. At
least not yet. “I still have a contract (with GMA). That’s a breach
of contract,” Jennylyn joked, adding, “And there are
so many things that I still want to do in life. Also,
my son (Alex Jazz) is still so young. I want him to
enjoy. There are still a lot of things that I want for us
to enjoy together.” Nevertheless, she said, that despite belonging to
different networks, Jennylyn’s relationship with Luis
is going strong, which she credited to its “perfect
timing.” She said that Luis came at the right place
and at the right time, adding that it works “maybe
because our relationship is peaceful, kasi ayaw din namin na masyadong exposed. Ayoko yung
relationship namin magagamit sa trabaho.” Amidst Jennylyn’s visible happiness at the way her
career is going — aside from acting-singing, she’s
enjoying and busy honing her newfound hosting
career — one issue, though, slightly dampened the
mood at the contract-signing. Jennylyn couldn’t hold back tears when queried
about the reported issue with Patrick Garcia, the
father of her son Alex Jazz, who’s turning five years
old. At first, she didn’t want to address the issue,
but eventually, she spoke up and denied reports that
she’s preventing Patrick to see their son after he reportedly discontinued to give Alex Jazz financial
support. When she was able to compose herself later on, she
clarified that she became emotional because the
issue is affecting her son. “The negative issues are
not helping us, especially my son,” she said. According to her, Patrick can see his son anytime
he wants to. What’s important for Jennylyn, she and
her son won’t “be used” and dragged into the issue. Jennylyn can be seen in Indio weeknights and
appears in H.O.T. TV and Party Pilipinas on
Sundays, and will soon star in a Regal
Entertainment movie with Lovi Poe and Paulo
Avelino.